On Tuesday, Tennessee’s star sophomore running back Jamal Lewis was asked

what he remembered most from last year’s game at Florida.

“Sitting on the sidelines,” he said quietly. “Wanting to get in and make a

difference in the game.

“But I didn’t get my chance.”

Lewis, then a true freshman, was admittedly not quite ready to carry the

load when the Vols traveled to Gainesville last season.

It wasn’t the running part, mind you. That’s never been a problem for

Lewis, who ended up with a Tennessee freshman-record 1,364 yards rushing in

1997.

No, it was pass blocking that kept Lewis from making his starting debut

against Florida at the Swamp. As it was, Lewis was in for about eight

plays, enough for him to learn firsthand how serious the rivalry is between

Tennessee and Florida. He ran five times for 11 yards and caught two passes

for 18 more.

Now, with Peyton Manning gone, the focus has been returned to the running

game. Lewis, who says he can carry the ball at least 25-30 times a game,

sees the Vols as being equally adept at the running and passing games,

unlike early on last season.

“The offense is more balanced this year at this time then it was last year

at this time,” he said.

As far as the running game goes, it has been virtually a non-factor over

the past few seasons against Florida. Of course, the Vols have fallen

behind so quickly in recent meetings that the running game has had to be

sacrificed in favor of passing, so as to try to get back into the

game.

Lewis, however, senses that this trend is about to change.

“I’m sure we can run (on Florida),” he said. “They have a good defensive

front and we have a good offensive line. It should be a good matchup.”

Lewis also said that the Vols’ problem against Florida in recent seasons is

a mental block.

“I don’t think they’re more physical. I don’t think they have more talent.

It’s just mental,” he said. “I’m sure we can beat them. We just have to get

over that hump.”

After their win over Syracuse two weekends ago, the Vols got right to work

on Florida. With such a huge game looming, Lewis envisioned a busy weekend

of preparation.

Quite the opposite.

“(UT coach Phillip Fulmer) gave us the weekend off,” Lewis said. “I was

shocked.”

It’s all just part of keeping the team loose and fresh.

Now, even with the game just three days away, the Vols seem remarkably calm

and confident. Not cocky. Confident.

“We don’t seem as tight as last year,” Lewis said.

Tennessee middle linebacker Al Wilson agrees.

“Our season has always been put into this one game,” said Wilson, a senior

co-captain who made the move to the middle from the outside. “The past few

years, there’s been a lot of hype with guys like Peyton and Leonard

(Little). We just want to have fun. This is what we worked for all

summer.”

Said Vol quarterback Tee Martin, “The preparation has been the same (as in

years past). Coach Fulmer hasn’t been banging his head or doing

flips.”

And while everyone knows about Florida’s incredible front seven on defense,

Martin says the Gators better not rely on their reputation.

“They can’t disrespect Jamal because he’ll run for 200 yards and they know

that,” said the junior quarterback.

While the running game is definitely a key for Tennessee, Martin knows that

the passing attack will have to play a big part as well.

“It’s like playing an NFL team,” he said of the Gator defense. “But, we’ve

got a very experienced (offensive) line, and a great fullback and running

back. I just have to make good decisions.”

One of Martin’s main targets, senior wide receiver Peerless Price, is

looking for a big game through the air.

“We’re gonna have to pass the ball,” he said, adding that the Vols probably

can’t win if they complete just nine passes, as they did against

Syracuse.

And, as Fulmer said, “If you can run the ball, you can always throw it.”

Tennessee, which hasn’t done very well establishing the run against

Florida, will be looking to Lewis this time around.

No sitting on the sideline, on the outside looking in.

“I like to perform well in big games because it shows that you’re a good

back,” he said. “I’ve been known to play well in big games.”

Big games? They don’t come any bigger than this.